AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Romain Langasque became the third Frenchman to win the British Amateur. (The R&A)

Romain Langasque, 20, of France, defeated Grant Forrest, of Scotland, 4 and 2, in the 36-hole final to claim the 120th British Amateur at Carnoustie Golf Links.

With his victory, Langasque earned an exemption into next year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club, as well as a spot in the 2015 U.S. Amateur, which is scheduled for Aug. 17-23 at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club. Langasque also has secured a place in next month’s British Open at St. Andrews and a likely invitation to the 2015 Masters Tournament.

Langasque becomes the third Frenchman to win the Amateur Championship, joining Philippe Ploujoux in 1981 and Julien Guerrier in 2006.

“This is just a dream for me,” said Langasque, who entered the championship No. 72 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking™. “It is just incredible that I am going to play at St Andrews in one month’s time for the [British] Open.”

Langasque, who hails from Cabris in southern France, took control from the outset, building as much as a 5-up lead during the morning 18. He converted three consecutive birdies from No. 8, and when Forrest bogeyed the par-4 11th, he was 5 down.

Forrest, 22, battled back and trailed by three holes heading into the lunch break when Langasque lost the 18th hole after driving into a right-fairway bunker. His approach landed in a greenside bunker and his third went out of bounds to the left of the green.

Forrest’s hopes of mounting a comeback were dented when his opening drive of the afternoon found a bush and he lost the hole. He fell farther behind when his tee shot found the rough on the 20th hole, and Langasque birdied the par-4 21st after driving the green. Langasque went 7 up on the 23rd hole, after Forrest missed the green to the left.

But Forrest, who recently finished his college career at the University of San Diego, won the 24th with a birdie and the 26th after Langasque found a bunker with his tee shot. Forrest’s rally continued on the 30th hole when he holed a near 60-foot eagle putt. At the 32nd hole, Langasque found three bunkers and Forrest won the hole with a birdie 4.

Langasque ended Forrest’s comeback by hitting a wonderful 190-yard, 7-iron approach from a fairway bunker on the 33rd hole, which was halved. He closed out Forrest after knocking a 4-iron tee shot to the par-3 34th hole to 10 feet for a conceded win.

More from the USGA

USGA PARTNERS

American Express

Together, American Express and the USGA have been providing world-class service to golf fans since 2006. By creating interactive U.S. Open experiences both onsite and online, American Express enhances the USGA’s effort to make the game more accessible and enjoyable for fans.

For more information on American Express visit www.americanexpress.com/entertainment

Deloitte

As a strategic partner, Deloitte delivers thought leadership, business knowledge and innovation concepts to help the organization better serve the game and its constituents. Together, Deloitte and the USGA created a transformative strategy that responds to the needs of today’s game, deepens engagement in the golf community, and empowers people to connect in new ways.

In addition to its professional services work with the USGA, Deloitte supports USGA initiatives and championships, including programs that celebrate volunteerism, and promote inclusion and innovation in and beyond the golf community.

Lexus is committed to partnering with the USGA to deliver a best-in-class experience for the world’s best golfers by providing a fleet of courtesy luxury vehicles for all USGA Championships.

At each U.S. Open, Women’s Open and Senior Open, Lexus provides spectators with access to unique experiences ranging from the opportunity to have a picture taken with both the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open trophies to autograph signings with legendary Lexus Golf Ambassadors in the Lexus Performance Drive Pavilion.

Rolex has been a longtime supporter of the USGA and salutes the sportsmanship and great traditions unique to the game.

This support includes the Rules of Golf where Rolex has partnered with the USGA to ensure golfers understand and appreciate the game.As the official timekeeper of the USGA and its championships, they also provide clocks throughout host sites for spectator convenience.

For more information on Rolex and their celebration of the game, visit the Rolex and Golf homepage.